Passengers on the Bairnsdale V/Line are being forced to stand for the entire four-hour journey to Melbourne due to overcrowded trains.
The new VLocity three car sets have less capacity than the decommissioned Red Rattler, leaving commuters packed into concerningly overfull services.
Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull, slammed the State Government for pushing ahead with free weekend travel over summer without adding a single extra train or carriage to address the already existing overcrowded services.
“People are already standing for up to four hours on our long-haul service. That is simply not safe, and it is definitely not good enough,” Mr Bull said.
“Crowded public transport in the city may be fine for a short hop, but it is certainly not acceptable for a four-hour V/Line journey.”
In Parliament, Mr Bull asked the Public Transport Minister, Gabrielle Williams, whether additional rolling stock had been ordered to handle the anticipated surge in travellers this summer. The Minister didn’t answer.
“That tells you everything. No extra trains, no plan, no concern for regional passengers. This policy will make congestion dangerously worse,” Mr Bull said.
“How can free travel be promoted if passengers are forced to stand for
four hours? It’s uncomfortable, unsafe, and
shows zero regard for regional travellers.”
Mr Bull said the State Government must urgently explain how it will prevent overcrowding and guarantee safe capacity on the Bairnsdale line during the busy holiday period.
“Regional Victorians deserve better than standing in packed trains. Planning should come first. Headline-grabbing announcements should not put passenger lives at risk.”
